AGTS is no longer accepting new students for the Master of Arts in Counseling program leading to state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Prospective students seeking a degree leading to licensure are encouraged to consider Evangel University's Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. The information below applies to students currently enrolled in the program.

The Master of Arts in Counseling (M.A.C.) offers both licensure (51-60 credits) and non-licensure (42-48 credits) tracks. The licensure tracks are designed to prepare Christian counselors to serve in the Church or community settings as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and to prepare qualified graduates to practice with appropriate professional and legal recognition and in an informed ethical, legal and professional manner. They also prepare students to integrate biblical, theological and psychological insights into effective counseling ministry, stimulate the development of personal maturity, self-understanding and interpersonal sensitivity.

It consists of three elements and requires a 3.0 grade point average for admission and continuance in the program:

• 3 credits of core foundational studies,
• 18 credits of required coursework in psychology and counseling, and
• 30-39 credits in an area of concentration.

Students are required to attend a minimum of 10 personal growth therapy sessions (at their own expense) with a departmentally approved therapist in the first or second year of their seminary education experience.

Marital and Family Therapy III: Interventions, Strategies, and Techniques

Two of the following:

6

PCP 531

Play Therapy and Childhood Intervention

PCP 565

Psychopharmacology

PCP 622

Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder

PCP 624

Family Studies: Human
Sexuality

PCP 662

Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

Required:

PCP
640

Counseling Practicum I*

3

PCP
641

Counseling Practicum II*

3

PCP 652

Marital and Family Therapy Practicum
I

3

* Course requires prerequisite. See course description.

42-48 hour M.A.C. Program in Community Mental Health Service (C.M.H.S.T.) Degree Components and Requirements (Non-Licensure)

The 42-48 hour M.A.C., Community Mental Health Service (C.M.H.S.T.) is a non-licensure track designed to prepare students for work in the church and/or public health agencies that do not require licensure or practicum. The C.M.H.S.T. requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for admission and continuance in the program.

Students in the C.M.H.S.T. who desire to apply for a licensure track must have a 3.0 grade point average after completion of at least 30 hours at AGTS. If approved, continuation in a licensure track and enrollment in a clinical practicum is contingent upon the student’s ability to maintain a 3.0 gpa.

Students from the C.M.H.S.T. who qualify to transfer to a licensure track will forfeit any advanced standing credit awarded when initially admitted to AGTS for undergraduate counseling and/or psychology studies.

Marital and Family Therapy III: Interventions, Strategies and Techniques

PCP 662

Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

PCP 637

Group Counseling

*Course requires prerequisite. See course description.
1 Six hours of advanced standing in counseling and/or psychology may be requested if courses were taken at an accredited undergraduate institution.

Students should note that in both the Professional
Counseling (LPC) and Professional Counseling Extended Family Studies (LPCFS) concentrations, state
licensure and professional recognition have additional requirements
after completion of a graduate degree. These requirements include
a specific number of hours of counseling under the clinical supervision
of an approved supervisor and, in most states, the successful
completion of a qualifying examination in the area of concentration.

Some states may require additional course work as well. Students
are advised to determine the specific requirements in the state
in which they plan to practice. In all cases, the prerogative
of professional recognition rests with the membership committee
of the professional association or state regulatory agency.

Students who want to pursue doctoral studies in the area of
counseling may find this degree to be helpful preparation for
those studies, but should discuss that possibility with the institution
where they plan to do their doctoral studies.

Practicums

The specific practicums required for each concentration are delineated in each degree program. Since practicums are designed to allow for the application of the principles and procedures studied in other courses, a sufficient academic foundation must be demonstrated prior to entering the counseling practicums. Timing is crucial and students should begin planning their practicums early in the academic program. Approval for a practicum must be secured through an interview scheduled with the counseling practicum adviser. Students will subsequently pursue individually attained placement upon approval. Registration for a practicum must be completed by the pre-registration date for the semester in which the practicum is to be taken. Additionally, the student should be aware that practicum requirements for specific state licensure may exceed AGTS requirements. Students should verify specific state requirements prior to beginning practicum. Practicums will be graded satisfactory, marginal or unsatisfactory. A fee of $250 is assessed to students enrolled in counseling practicums.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the general
requirements for graduation, the
student must pass a written comprehensive examination before
the degree is awarded. Students who fail the comprehensive examination
will be allowed to retake the exam following a three-week study
period.

Policy for Retakes

Students failing the exam retake must audit or
enroll in designated and approved courses, then retake and pass
the exam. In the event of failure on the second retake, the student
may not repeat the exam without an approved, rigorous remedial
program.

Distance Learning

Due to state licensing requirements, counseling
majors are advised not to take courses by distance
learning or directed research. Some exceptions may be approved through
the academic adviser for Bible or theology courses.